Weekly Jobless Claims Fall, Continued Claims at 7-Year Low

Updated
Unemployment Benefits
Matt Rourke/AP

By Lucia Mutikani

WASHINGTON -- The number of Americans filing new claims for unemployment benefits fell more than expected last week, pointing to a sustained improvement in labor market conditions.

Initial claims for state unemployment benefits declined 14,000 to a seasonally adjusted 298,000 for the week ended Aug. 16, the Labor Department said Thursday.

Advertisement